How much was the hybrid solar system project worth?

Question

Accepted Answer

The hybrid solar system project was valued at RM57.5 million.

The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on the bribery appeals lodged by former Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Arif Ab Rahman and his son. This specific project, a hybrid solar system intended for four remote islands off Sandakan, Sabah, was awarded to Syarikat Eramaz (M) Sdn Bhd. The value of this awarded project was established at RM57.5 million.
Appeals Heard by Court of Appeal

The appeals were presented before a three-judge bench comprising judges Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, Datuk Lim Chong Fong, and Datuk Azizul Azmi Adnan. Following the conclusion of submissions from both the defence and prosecution, the court deliberated and subsequently reserved its decision. A new date for the decision will be set during a case management session scheduled for November 7.
Defence Arguments on Abetment

During the proceedings, the defence counsel for Mohd Arif argued that there was insufficient credible evidence to establish that Mohd Arif had abetted his son in the commission of the offense. It was contended that the Sessions Court judge had applied an incorrect presumption under Section 50 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, thereby prejudicing Mohd Arif.
Prosecution's Reliance on Circumstantial Evidence

Conversely, the prosecution maintained that its case was built upon circumstantial evidence, drawing significantly from the testimony of witness Datuk Mohd Safian Mohd Salleh. This testimony indicated that Mohd Arif was informed by his son, Ahmad Zukhari, that his father would be transferred to the ministry and could oversee the project. The prosecution highlighted that Mohd Arif's subsequent transfer to the ministry and his communication to his son about a "job is on the way" were not coincidental.
Original Convictions and Sentences

In the initial Sessions Court ruling on November 14, 2018, Mohd Arif was found guilty of abetting his son in receiving SGDUS$200,000 (equivalent to RM627,833) from Syarikat Wazlina Sdn Bhd director Mohd Safian. This gratification was an inducement to secure the RM57.5 million hybrid solar system project. Mohd Arif received a three-year jail sentence and a RM3 million fine. His son, Ahmad Zukhari, was sentenced to five years’ jail and fined RM9.6 million for four counts of soliciting and accepting bribes related to ministry projects in 2016. Both had previously lost their appeals at the High Court on March 23, 2021.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

How much was the hybrid solar system project worth?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends